Giants not shutting down Saquon Barkley despite woeful record, ankle setback

The New York Giants and running back Saquon Barkley have endured a frustrating and challenging season. Big Blue sits at 4-11 ahead of Sunday's game at the Chicago Bears, and Barkley has largely looked like a shell of his former self coming off the torn ACL he suffered in Chicago back in September 2020. He also missed four games during the fall with an ankle injury that continues to impact him during the final days of December. 

Giants head coach Joe Judge made it clear on Wednesday he doesn't feel any game is "meaningless" even with his club mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and Barkley echoed previous comments, saying he's not thinking about shutting things down before Week 18.

"You've just got to have heart. That's what we have to have," Barkley said, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "That's what we've got to hang our hat on. It's heart. It's the name on the back of your jersey. I think (offensive assistant) Jody (Wright) said it last week to me and (running back Devontae Booker) and a couple of guys, like, there's going to be some little kid in that stands that has never seen you play before, so you've got to take all those things into account too.

"Obviously, the season hasn't gone the way we would like by any means, but we've just got to go out there and fight for each other, too. That's another thing — heart, pride, your last name, those little kids that are still watching, and for each other."

Barkley is set to return to the Giants for the 2022 campaign on the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract and said earlier this month he wants to be "a big reason why we turn this thing around." He told reporters Wednesday he can't "control" any behind-the-scenes discussions possibly being had about his future beyond the regular-season finale on Jan. 9. 

"My thought process is come in every single day and try to be a leader I can for the team and try to get better physically, mentally and all the above," Barkley remarked. "Like I said, with these last two games, especially coming up with Chicago, try to finish on a high note and play for each other."

Barkley is currently averaging a paltry 3.5 yards per carry and has accumulated 461 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 130 attempts.